Charles mettam



UNITED STATES PATENVI CHARLES METTAM, OF YORK, N. Y.

CAMP-COT.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,884, dated July 23, 1861.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLns h/ nT'rAM, of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Camp- Cots; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which the several figures represent elevations and plan views of my improved cot and the details and modifications thereof.

The object of my invention is to construct a portable cot which it is desirable should occupy a minimum of space and weight when not in use, at the same time containing all the elements of strength, durability and rigidity, while capable of being put up either for use or for transportation in the least possible time and without difficulty or in convenience. And I propose to effect these desiderata with but few pieces and which may be connected to form a compact whole z'. c. withoutthe use of disconnected or loose pieces which are liable to be mislaid or lost.

My invention consists, first. In the general construction of portable camp cots the same consisting of sectional side rails united longitudinally by means of metallic sockets or sleeve joints in combination with removable and jointed cross-legs and detachable canvas the whole being arranged substantially as hereinafter described. Second. In the method of scarfing or dove-tailing and morn tising the contiguous ends of the side railsections so that while capable of being firmly joined and secured in a longitudinal direction, they shall admit of the legs being inserted for the double purpose of locking the joint of the rail sections and of being fixed thereto as described. Third. In the combination with the metallic socket of the slot and pin in the socket and rail section re spectively or of any other locking or holding device whereby the said socket is capable of `sliding motion while being held onto either end of the rail section, substantially as hereinafter shown and described. Fourth. In the combination with the metallic sleeve or socket of the longitudinally divided sectional side rails. Fifth. In the use in combination with the rails and legs of cots constructed as hereinafter described, of a canvas provided with a sleeve on the rail side thereof, in combination with the slits corresponding to the legs, as hereinafter set forth.

Sixth. Providing the canvas when strapped or when by sleeve or otherwise equivalently attached transversely to the side rails with end straps or their equivalent so arranged that the said canvas may be stretched longitudinally, substantially as hereinafter described. Seventh. In the method and manner herein described of bracing the crosslegs of a camp cot by means of cords or their equivalents so that perfect rigidity of the cot may be obtained without sensibly increasing the weight thereof. Eighth. Forming the side rails of sections of suitable number and length uniting the same by means of a metal socket forming the head of a cor responding leg, substantially as hereinafter described. Ninth. In the construction of the metallic T socket for the reception within it, so as to effect their mutually binding joint, of the contiguous ends of the side rail and leg as herein set forth. rIenth. VIn the method of converting a camp cot constructed as herein described into a camp litter or stretcher for the conveyance of the wounded from off the battle field or for other analogous uses, substantially as herein set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to use and make my invention, I shall now proceed to describe in detail the construction of my improved camp cot.

Referring to Figures 1,2, and 3 which show respectively the side and end elevation and plan view in part, (A.) represents the side rails. They are shown to be composed each of three sections, united at their ends by means of a metallic socket (0,) of a diameter just sufficient to receive the rail within it. Each socket is provided with a sleeve atright angles thereto which is designed to contain the upper end of the cross-leg. The latter are pinned together so as to allow of their being folded up to assume perfect parallelism. The canvas is here shown as provided with straps that secure it at suitable distances from each other, to the rail.

rIhe rails may be divided longitudinally as shown in the drawing for the purpose of giving it greater resistance to transverse strain and to allow the canvas to be run through and clamped between the side rails except at the joint where straps are provided that pass from side to side as shown. This form of cot when not in use is designed to 'be folded up by detaching the several sections, removing the legs from their sockets, forming a pile of the whole and rolling it up in the canvas, or again by leaving the sectional side rails strapped onto the canvas by then folding it up endwise in three parts by placing the legs in the center and finally by rolling the canvas over the legs forming a bundle which from its lightness and compactness may be carried on the knapsack. Camp cots constructed according to this my invention weigh not more than seven pounds and answer all the requirements respecting volume, strength, durability and ease in operating them.

In Figs. 4L and 5 in the drawing a camp cot is shown in top and bottom view constructed according to the principle of my invention differing only from the former in the manner in which the canvas is applied. t is shown formed with a sleeve edge at the longer sides thereof or at the sides that correspondA to and with the side rails. The sleeve portion is provided with slots at its under side through which the leg socket is allowed to protrude and which permits of the cot being put up without necessitating straps or other tension devices around the rails. To prevent puckering of the canvas I adapt at the four corners, straps, which are designed to be slung over and around the outer legs of the cot. The legs I prefer to brace mutually by a system of cords which are run diagonally and crosswise from the foot of one leg to the upper part of the next following, down again to the foot of the succeeding and so on. The cords are tied together at their intermediate crossing points between the respective legs.

Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 represent detailed views of the socketand modifications thereof. The socket shown in Fig. 6 is provided with a slot that permits it to slide upon the rail which in its turn is furnished with a pin. By this arrangement which is common to those shown in Figs. 7, 9 and l() the socket is held onto the rail even if not in use and is thereby not liable to be lost or misla-id. The next rail is secured into the socket by means of a spring A from which it is unlocked by pressing on the knob B. The socket represented in Fig. 7 is similar in construction with and ,differs from the former in the mode of securing the second rail to the first. The pin or knob xed on the second rail locks in with a sort of bayonet catch or angular shaped slot in the socket by giving the rail a forward motion and then a turn as will be readily seen from the drawing.

Fig. 3 shows a socket with two spirally shaped or upwardly curvedslots symmetrically arranged in which the locking pins fixed onto the rails are allowed to enter and will cause the two rails to be drawn together endwise by giving either' the socket an outward or the rails an inward turn. It will be perceived that by this means a perfect close joint will be effected as the greater the strain on the cot the closer will the rails be drawn together. The rails may be connected by a hinged joint a Fig. 9 which will allow of the cot to fold up and take the strain off the canvas and when covered by the socket joint make a strong and firm connection.

Fig. l0 represents a perfect rigid joint although the parts are easily disconnected. The side rails a a are scarfed or halved to the extent of the length of the socket and are perforated transversely to the plane of scarf and in line with the leg socket so as to receive through them the upper part of the leg which acts like a tenon in the mortise.

Fig. 1l represents an isometrical View of my camp cot when in use. The method of bracing is simplified by passing a tension cord from the end of each rail to the other uniting the lower ends of the intermediate crosslegs fast in and to the opposite rail.

A camp cot constructed on this principle may be readily converted into a stretcher or litter without necessitating the use of any additional pieces and may be employed as such with great advantage on the battlefield for carrying off the men wounded or disabled during the action. This is effected by removing the outer cross legs from their sockets and inserting them endwise and at right angles to their former position into the projecting part of the socket so as to form a prolongation of the rail itself and constitute the arms by which the litter is or may be carried. If there be no sockets to fit the ends of the legs the rail may be provided with loops or other means for hanging or fastening the legs to make them operate in lieu of arms.

Having thus described my invention, I shall state my claims as follows:

l. The construction of portable camp cots the same consisting of sectional side rails united longitudinally by means of metallic sockets or sleeve joints in combination with removable and jointed cross legs and detachable canvas the whole being arranged substantially as herein described.

2. The method of scarfing or dove-tailing and mortising the contiguous ends of the side rail sections, so that while capable of being firmly joined and secured in a longitudinal direction they shall admit of the legs being inserted for the double purpose of lockinor the joint of the rail section and of being xed thereto as described.

3. The combination of the slot and pin in the socket and rail section respectively or of any other locking or holding device with the metallic socket whereby the said socket is capable of sliding motion while being held onto either end of the rail section, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In combination with the longitudinally divided sectional side rails the metallic sleeve or socket.

5. The use in combination with the rails and legs of cots constructed as herein described, of a canvas provided with a sleeve on the rail side thereof and slits corresponding to the legs, as set forth.

6. Providing the canvas When strapped or when by sleeve or otherwise equivalently attached transversely to the side rails with end straps or their equivalent so arranged that the said canvas may be stretched longitudinally, substantially as herein described.

7. The method and manner herein described of bracing the cross-legs of a camp cot by means of cords or their equivalents so that perfect rigidity of the cot may be obtained Without sensibly increasing the Weight thereof.

8. Forming the side rails of sections of suitable number and length and uniting the saine by lneans of a metal socket forming the head of a corresponding leg7 substantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof I have signed iny naine to this specification before two subscribing Witnesses.

CHAS. METTAM.

Witnesses JOHN H. S'ro'U'i, XVM. M. VATERBURY. 

